Governor Rendell Seeks Nominations for Student Health Care Heroes

High School Students to be Recognized for Service, Career Exploration

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 28 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Edward G. Rendell today called for nominations for the first-ever Student Health Care Hero Awards.

The Governor invites health-care organizations, high schools and student organizations to nominate Pennsylvania students who will be in ninth through twelfth grades during the 2008-2009 school year, and are contributing to the field through volunteer service or paid, part-time work in a health care setting.

"In hospitals and other health care facilities throughout Pennsylvania, dynamic, inspirational young people are volunteering or working part-time to care for people," Governor Rendell said. "These students are not only meeting a tremendous need, they are exploring health careers first-hand.

"Through 2014(1) when these students hit the job market, there will be nearly 7,000 new openings in Pennsylvania every year in five of the most in-demand health care occupations," the Governor said. "These five occupations -- pharmacists, physical therapists, registered nurses, dental hygienists and direct care workers -- offer excellent career opportunities, and represent a cross-section of the occupations in tremendous demand.

"Our need for health care workers is very real," Governor Rendell said. "These students deserve to be recognized for actively considering a field that is so vital to the quality of life for all Pennsylvanians."

Winners will be recognized on the local, regional and statewide levels during Pennsylvania Health Careers Week, Nov. 10 through 14. Health Careers Week is a statewide opportunity to raise awareness of opportunities in the health care field. It is coordinated by the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers which is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board and serves as a catalyst to develop action-oriented strategies to address Pennsylvania's short- and long-term health care workforce challenges.

Nominees should have a genuine interest in the health care field, a commitment to learning and the desire to pursue a career in health care. The deadline for nominations is Friday, Oct. 3, 2008. Nomination forms and instructions and more information about health careers in demand can be found online at HYPERLINK "http://www.dli.state.pa.us" www.dli.state.pa.us, Keyword: Health Careers, or by calling the Pennsylvania Center for Health Careers at 717-772-4966.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit www.governor.state.pa.us.

(1) Based on 2004 projections, Pennsylvania Center for Workforce Information and Analysis

CONTACT:

Shannon Powers (L&I)

717-787-7530

Barry Ciccocioppo

717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor